Kaya Vella Kadala Kootu Curry

Ingredients:

2 big raw plantain/ raw banana/ kaya, peeled and cubed

1/2 cup white chickpeas / vella kadala

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp chilli powder

1/2 tsp pepper powder

1 cup grated coconut, for grinding

1/4-1/2 cup grated coconut, for roasting

2 big green chillies

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp mustard seeds

1/2 tsp urad dal

2 dry red chillies

1 sprig curry leaves

salt to taste

1 1/2 tbsp coconut oil

Preparation:

1. Soak white chickpeas overnight or at least 7 hours and pressure cook it adding enough water, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder and salt until soft.
2. Open the cooker and add chopped raw plantain, chilli powder, pepper powder and salt. Check water and add little water if required and cook for 1 whistle.
3. Grind together 1 cup grated coconut, green chillies and cumin seeds to a coarse paste adding little water.
4. Add the ground coconut paste to the cooked chickpeas-plantain mixture and mix well and cook for 4-5 minutes. Adjust the salt and switch off the flame.
5. Heat oil in a pan and splutter mustard seeds and urad dal.
6. Add dry red chillies, curry leaves and 1/2 cup grated coconut and fry / roast until it turns brown.
7. Add this over the prepared kootu curry and keep covered for 10 minutes.
8. Open the lid and mix well. Serve hot with rice..